Italian Pear, Almond, and Cranberry Tart

A cornmeal crust gives this tart its distinctive taste and provides a nice contrast to the soft, juicy pears inside. If you do not plan to serve the tarts the same day they are baked, eliminate the top crust; the pears will cause it to become soggy if left overnight. Alternatively, you can prep the tarts ahead of time through Step 6, then bake them a few hours before they are to be served. If you opt to leave off the top crust, slice the pear halves lengthwise and fan them slightly as you p